Reek Run goes through Bonfante

Annual 5K/10K event set for Saturday inside theme park, starting
at 8 a.m.
GLIROY – Gilroy’s Reek Race returns to Bonfante Gardens on Saturday, July 10 after an absence of 10 years as participants will have an opportunity to jog through the theme park.

The Gilroy Garlic Festival 5K/10K races were held for several years at the Hecker Pass Family Adventure Park before the opening of Bonfante Gardens. The race was last held at Hecker Pass in 1994.

Mr. Garlic will once again be on hand to start the racers. Bill Linstead, executive director of the Gilroy Economic Development Corporation, will be the master of ceremonies. Race officials expect 275 racers to participate.

Theater Angels Art League and Gavilan Joggers and Striders volunteers will help with registration, course monitoring and the race start/finish.

Staging and the start/finish will be at the South County Picnic area. Parking is free. People at the race can later visit Bonfante for free.

Additional volunteers to help with the event or with the Garlic Festival, or anyone wishing to make a pledge, may contact The Theater Angels Art at 847-1441. Registration begins at 6:45 a.m. with an 8 a.m. start time. Entry fee is $25.

Runners and walkers follow a spectacular course through Bonfante Gardens Theme Park with two moderate hills on each lap. Participants and volunteers receive free passes into the park on the day of the race or later in the season.

The 10K is a double loop of the 5K course.

First- through third-place prizes will be awarded for men and women within 32 different divisions ranging from ages 6-12 to over 70.

Pick up t-shirts, goodies bag and racing bib Friday evening from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Gilroy Hilton Garden Inn or on race day.